First record of bat-pollination in the species-rich genus Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae).

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Bromeliaceae is a species-rich neotropical plant family that uses a variety of pollinators, principally vertebrates. Tillandsia is the most diverse genus, and includes more than one-third of all bromeliad species. Within this genus, the majority of species rely on diurnal pollination by hummingbirds; however, the flowers of some Tillandsia species show some characteristics typical for pollination by nocturnal animals, particularly bats and moths. In this study an examination is made of the floral and reproductive biology of the epiphytic bromeliad Tillandsia macropetala in a fragment of humid montane forest in central Veracruz, Mexico.

Methods

The reproductive system of the species, duration of anthesis, production of nectar and floral scent, as well as d

SUBMITTER: Aguilar-Rodriguez PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3997647 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature